The royal healer ca and attended to Rafe while the rest of the group was ordered to wait outside the room. Only Callis was permitted to stay by his side.
When the treatnt was complete, the royal healer reassured everyone that Rafe had fainted due to shock, and there was no cause for alarm. He advised that the healer needed so rest to recover.
anwhile, the grand duke gathered his n and explained the situation regarding the unexpected marriage announcent. Although it was surprising, they understood and respected the king’s decision. It was the best solution based on the circumstances. The group then dispersed, and the grand duke departed to et with his wife.
As the knights walked through the hallway, Damon suggested, "I think we need to inform Sir Navin about this."
Out of respect, Damon addressed Eric with his title, even though they were not currently on duty. Damon and Eli, both trained by Garin and Eric respectively to beco ordained knights, always referred to their superiors by their titles.
"Yeah, I think so too. The mansion’s occupants should be inford about this," Garin chid in. "Just wait until Ayden finds out. He’ll be utterly shocked!"
"I’ll go back to the mansion and let them know," Noah, who had remained silent until now, offered. "My shift is ending anyway."
"Ah, right!" Damon exclaid. "It’s Sir Jarr and Sir Mills’s turn now."
"Oh, boy! I can’t wait to see Sir Navin’s reaction to all this!" Eli exclaid, his blue eyes gleaming with anticipation.
The thought of witnessing Eric’s response to the news filled him with excitent. They were all well aware that the second-in-command knight was Rafe’s best friend.
Despite their occasional quarrels over trivial matters, they had grown up together, forging a deep bond over the years. The young knight couldn’t help but imagine the mix of shock and concern that would cross Eric’s face upon hearing the unexpected turn of events.
***
"What is going on, Elis? Why can’t you tell ?" asked Jessy impatiently.
Upon returning from the festival, they were instructed to wait in Kiev’s room while the derian siblings t with the king for an urgent matter. Jessy repeatedly asked Elis to share what had happened, but the maid remained silent.
"I’m sorry! But His Highness Prince Kiev specifically told not to say anything until he returns," replied Elis apologetically.
"Sothing must have happened! I knew it! Otherwise, His Highness Prince Kiev wouldn’t look like that! Princess Callis must have caused a big trouble!" exclaid Jessy, her anxiety growing.
She paced back and forth before turning to Elis once again.
"Can’t you at least give a hint? I can’t keep waiting without knowing anything!" pleaded the nanny.
"Forgive , Jessy. It’s a direct order from His Highness, and I have already angered him by not disclosing Mr. Amares’s visit the other day. I don’t want to provoke his anger further," explained Elis.
"What? He already knew about that?" Jessy replied with a shocked expression.
"I... I told him," admitted Elis reluctantly.
"What else did you tell him?" the nanny inquired.
"Pretty much everything," confessed Elis.
"Oh, God! His Highness Prince Kiev is extrely protective of his sister! He won’t even tolerate a lustful look from any unknown man, let alone soone embracing her in her bed! Why did you tell him?" Jessy exclaid, realising the danger of the situation.
"I’m sorry. I didn’t an to. I even lied to cover up for Princess Callis. But circumstances beca unavoidable, and I couldn’t hide the truth any longer," responded Elis, remorseful.
"This is terrible! Terrible! He’s definitely going to harm that healer!" Jessy responded with worry and fear for Rafe’s safety.
The maid tightly bit her lower lip. Based on the derian Prince’s display of rage at the flower stall, the nanny’s anticipation was indeed on the verge of being realised.
As such, she, too, couldn’t help but worry about the healer. Her anxious blue eyes turned to the door, awaiting Kiev and Callis’ return with a mix of hope and trepidation.
Suddenly, the door burst open, and the derian Prince stord into the room, his face flushed red. Before Jessy could utter a word, Kiev slamd the door shut with a resounding bang, unleashing his fury upon the room. The two won stood frozen in fear, petrified by his intense rage.
Kiev forcefully threw himself onto the settee, his eyes burning with seething anger. Witnessing his deanour, Elis, who harboured a deep fear of him, instinctively moved closer to Jessy for comfort and protection.
After a mont, the nanny, unable to contain her worry any longer, mustered the courage to speak.
"Your Highness, what’s going on? Where is Princess Callis? Is she in her room?" she asked, her voice shaky with concern.
"Why would I care where she is?" Kiev bellowed, causing both won to recoil in shock. "She’s no longer my responsibility!"
"Why are you saying this, Your Highness? What happened? Please let know. I’m so worried about her," Jessy pleaded, her forehead creased.
The derian Prince released a frustrated sigh, his anger still palpable.
"She’s with her husband," Kiev replied curtly, his words hanging heavily.
"Husband?" Jessy’s eyes widened in disbelief, mirroring Elis’ own surprise.
The news was utterly shocking to both of them.
"I’m sorry, but... what do you an? I don’t understand!" Jessy stamred in confusion.
"She’s now married to that healer. His Majesty, the King of Cassian, has proclaid it," Kiev explained in a low, sombre tone.
"What? But... but... how can this be? It’s so sudden... It can’t be!" Jessy protested. Elis, too, could not contain her shock, her mouth hanging open in astonishnt.
"She decided to marry him! And that healer also agreed! It’s all because she let him adorn her hair with the flowers at the festival today!" Kiev’s voice dripped with frustration.
"She... she declared him as her soulmate?"
Jessy, who was well aware of the ritual, turned pale at the reply. She had never anticipated that Callis would ultimately go through with the bewildering proclamation despite her repeated warnings to keep a distance from Rafe and forget the feelings the derian Princess had for him.
Her legs wobbled beneath her, and she nearly fell from the shock. Fortunately, Elis quickly grabbed hold of the nanny and provided support.
The realisation now struck Jessy—no wonder Callis had appeared so sorrowful beneath her hooded robe.
During their journey back, the nanny and the maid had ridden in a separate carriage to accommodate their purchased items, which prevented her from inquiring about the derian Princess’s gloomy deanour.
Initially, she thought Kiev was angry due to Callis’s excessive spending, but then, when an urgent matter was ntioned, and Elis displayed fear, she knew sothing was gravely wrong.
"She acted without thinking! I told her the bond must be severed, but she insisted on protecting him! We brought the matter to the king to be resolved, and instead of following my orders, she sided with him and agreed to marry him!" Kiev gritted his teeth in frustration. "That d*mn grand duke also supported them! The king proclaid their union imdiately! Now, they are legally married according to Cassian law."
"Oh, my baby princess! How could she get married like that? Without a proper wedding ceremony? Without her parents’ consent? Without even around!" The nanny’s tears began to fall uncontrollably. "I need to go see her now!"
Determined, Jessy turned and stepped forward, but Kiev’s shout stopped her from continuing. "I forbid you from going to her!" he exclaid.
The nanny turned around in shock, her eyes red from crying. "But, Your Highness! Princess Callis needs !"
"She doesn’t need you anymore! In fact, she doesn’t need any of us since she has a husband now!" Kiev sounded both sad and angry at the sa ti.
"Your Highness... please!" With desperate pleas, Jessy’s voice was full of emotion.
"I said don’t go! If you still have respect for , then you’ll obey my order!" Kiev’s tone was firm. "I’ve lost a sister today! I don’t mind losing a nanny!"
"Your Highness!" Jessy cried, her heart breaking at the thought of being kept away from Callis during such a difficult ti.
"Return to your room!" the derian Prince commanded without turning to gaze at Jessy. "I want to be alone."
The nanny obeyed his order, bowing in tears despite her trendous sadness.
"But bear in mind, don’t sneak off to see her! If I find out that you did, don’t even think of returning to the island with ! I’ll dismiss you right away!" warned Kiev.
With a sorrowful look, the nanny retreated, her heart heavy with disappointnt and downheartedness. Elis was about to follow suit when Kiev’s voice resounded in the room.
"Stay, Elis."
"Yes?" the maid responded in confusion.
She thought she heard the derian Prince say he wanted to be alone. Why would he now insist that she stay?
Then, she rembered that she had also agreed to serve the derian Prince in addition to her duties as Callis’s maid.
"Ah... yes, Your Highness!"
The door was now shut, and the maid stood silently, nervously waiting for her next order.
"Pour the drink for ," Kiev finally said wearily.
A devastated look coloured his expression as if he had just suffered a crushing defeat in a great war. The derian Prince’s red eyes were filled with emptiness, reflecting the depth of his frustration.
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